Disorderly Charges Against Chevy Chase Man to be Dropped

TOWSON, MD – A Chevy Chase man charged with being disorderly outside the Towson Greene Turtle in December—whose arrest was broadcast on YouTube, including being punched and pepper sprayed by police—reportedly reached a plea agreement that could result in the charges being dropped.

Zachary Carson Blumenstein, 19, of the 8400 block Ellingson Drive, is charged with disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful order, trespassing, and resisting and interfering with arrest on Saturday, Dec. 19, court records show.

All charges were put on the stet docket Friday, according to court records.

Lawyers agreed that if Blumenstein completes 30 hours of community service, the charges will be dropped, The Baltimore Sun reported. According to the paper, he wrote a letter apologizing for his behavior.

Related: Use of Force Under Review After Arrest

The case originated from a December incident on York Road in Towson.

At 1:20 a.m. on Dec. 19, an officer approached Blumenstein regarding an argument in front of the Greene Turtle in the 400 block of York Road and ordered him to leave the establishment, police said. As the man continued yelling profanities, five citizens moved Blumenstein, according to officials.

Officers next approached Blumenstein at 2 a.m. upon seeing him push a man into the 400 block of York Road, police reported.

When Blumenstein resisted arrest, the officer ordered him to stop resisting; and when Blumenstein still refused to stop resisting, another officer arrived and pepper spray was used, police said.

A bystander posted a cell phone video on YouTube showing three officers trying to take Blumenstein into custody, including one who repeatedly punched the teen as he resisted arrest at approximately 2 a.m., according to police.

The Baltimore County Police Department said after the incident that it was reviewing the use of force. According to The Baltimore Sun, the policeman involved in the punching is currently a patrol officer in the Towson precinct.